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Four Continents is typically not as intense as Euros in an Olympic year. With so much travel required for so many of the athletes, and the competition itself taking place to close to the Olympics, it’s not realistic for the top North American athletes to compete. Despite this, the event featured some fantastic skating from all parts of the world, including several very satisfying final competitive performances (Grant Hochstein and Elladj Balde have confirmed their retirements).

And, uh, not to scare anyone, but the Olympics start in a week and a half. On that note…

Thanks to these judges for sitting at The Judges’ Table during the 2018 Four Continents Championships!

Erica G.(@egaley)Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. I’ve been figure skating for 27 years, and a Canadian Skating Official for the last 6. I still get giddy when I put on my skates and hit clean ice, and being an official has given me a whole new perspective on why we do what we do.Events judged: Skate Canada 2017, Four Continents 2018

Joseph K.(@thebrothaj)Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. Former skater (Back in the stone age of the early-mid 80’s… I had a FABULOUS quarter turned double lutz!) Skating fan for life.What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Kostner, 2014 Sochi. Deserved silver.Events judged: Cup of China 2016, US Nationals 2017, NHK Trophy 2017, Four Continents 2018

Kara M. (@NamasteRead)Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. I took lessons when I was 12-15. Been a superfan since 2014.What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? I still feel like Mirai Nagasu is underscored almost every time she skates.Events judged: Rostelecom Cup 2016, Russian Nationals 2016-2017, Cup of China 2017, Four Continents 2018

Kelly C.(@KACkelly)Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. I first became a figure skating fan during the 1994 Olympics, when I was staunchly #teamnancy. So began my life of rooting for the Ones Who Do Not Win. I was more of a casual viewer until 2014, when I fell back in love with watching the sport.What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? I can’t choose. Justice for my faves!Events Judged: Four Continents 2018

Punk S.(@PunkSalchow)Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. I was raised exclusively on Michelle Kwan spirals.What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Wakaba Higuchi 2017 Worlds.Events Judged: Four Continents 2018

Tiffany L. (@TiffLangston)Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. Stanning for skating since 1994! What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Any time Satoko Miyahara skated in the 2014-2015 season.Events judged: Skate America 2015, US Nationals 2016, Team Challenge Cup 2016, Rostelecom Cup 2016, World Championships 2017, Internationaux de France 2017, Four Continents 2018

LET’S GET JUDGING. Click “continue reading” below to continue. When you’re finished reading, leave a comment to let us know what you thought about Four Continents, how you think the real judges did, and how you think our judges did. If you disagree, sign up to judge an event later in the year and share your thoughts!

With only two ladies Olympic spots and approximately 23985729835 fan favorites who can contend internationally, Japanese nationals was an absolute nail-biter, leading to somewhat surprising results for those who thought Wakaba Higuchi was a lock for the Olympic team (I assume that’s not just me)? The men, too, fought for one remaining Olympic spot after Yuzuru and Shoma claimed theirs. The pairs and dance competition gave us a chance to see the future of Japanese skating.

Thanks to these judges for sitting at The Judges’ Table for Japanese nationals during the holiday!

Andrea G.Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. Began watching skating and going to rinks for fun in Melbourne in the 1970’s. Rediscovered figure skating in the early 2000’s after moving to Japan, switching the TV on one Saturday afternoon and seeing Johnny Weir. What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Takahito Mura’s free program at 2015 Japanese Nationals.Events judged: Japanese Nationals 2017-2018

Keiko A. (@glitterhapsody)Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. Learned how to skate when I was younger. Casual fan during the broadcasts on ESPN and during the 2010 Olympics; turned into a quasi-uber around Sochi. What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Relative to the scores on that day – Mao Asada’s Sochi FS.Events judged: Japanese Nationals 2017-2018

Sharon (@RosaCotton) | TumblrTell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. I became a year-round figure skating fan when my roommate and I watched Skate America, and I fell head-over-heels for Davis/White’s Die Fledermaus. Ice dance remains my favorite discipline (men a close second). Having followed the ShibSibs for five years, I was so thrilled for them winning silver at Worlds with two fantastic programs. So excited to see what will happen in ice dance this season!Events judged: Canadian Nationals 2016, European Championships 2016, Canadian Nationals 2017, Japanese Nationals 2017-2018

LET’S GET JUDGING. Click “continue reading” below to continue. When you’re finished reading, leave a comment to let us know what you thought about the Japanese Nationals, how you think the real judges did, and how you think our judges did. If you disagree, sign up to judge an event later in the year and share your thoughts!

As usual, Russian Nationals featured a slew of unbelievably talented young women vying for international placements in the new year. The seasons of 2015 world champion Elizaveta Tuktamysheva and 2015 world bronze medalist Elena Radionova are probably over, with neither having ever made the Olympics, while first-year seniors like Alina Zagitova are making their case for gold. The pairs and men’s events, however, were a bit messy, and the dance event saw the mid-skate withdrawal of medal contenders Sinitsina/Katsalopov.

Thanks to these judges for sitting at The Judges’ Table for Russian nationals during the holiday!

Belle-Noelle D.(@madforskating) | TumblrTell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. I watched the 2014 Olympics not knowing an axel from a salchow but just got so obsessed with it that I needed to know everything about figure skating.What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Weaver/Poje’s free dance at 2015 Worlds (and every other event).Events judged: World Team Trophy 2017, Russian Nationals 2017

Caroline D.(@caroline4pres)Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. Ever since I saw Kristi Yamaguchi on Stars On Ice as a toddler, I’ve been obsessed with figure skating. I became completely invested in it when I decided to write about it for my senior thesis as a History major in college. I am ALL about stunts, drama, theatrics, artistry, etc. I always love the hot messes. What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Adam Rippon’s free skate at 2015 Nationals.Events judged: Skate Canada 2017, Russian Nationals 2017

Irina G.(@annafly13) Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. I am a dedicated fan and photographer and love being part of figure skating events. I never travel without a camera and have thousands of pics from the events.What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Yuna Kim at Sochi in 2014.Events judged: Skate America 2017, Russian Nationals 2017

Jennifer Cl.Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. Clumsy adult skater who has followed the sport since 2002, obsessively since Yuzuru’s short in 2014 Olympics.What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? I think every point above 105 awarded to a Lanotte/Cappellini FD is 0.75 directly subtracted from Gilles/Poirier.Events judged: Russian Nationals 2015-16, World Championships 2016, Russian Nationals 2017

LET’S GET JUDGING. Click “continue reading” below to continue. When you’re finished reading, leave a comment to let us know what you thought about the Russian Nationals, how you think the real judges did, and how you think our judges did. If you disagree, sign up to judge an event later in the year and share your thoughts!

It’s been a minute! The Grand Prix Final took place a week and a half ago, giving you all plenty of time to forget about what went down. But as we look towards Japanese and Russian Nationals this week, what happened there becomes all the more important.

This seems like as good a time as any to apologize for the lateness of this post, and to remind everyone that The Judges’ Table is a labor (more than it feels like it should be!) of love run by one person. I’ve done my best to keep things moving, but I can’t always control when other people send me their responses or who drops out at the last minute, and how all of that interacts with my own schedule. The judges below all sent their responses in either super on-time or jumped in at the very last minute to be part of this post. Thanks to all of you for reading and to these judges, who who sat at The Judges’ Table for GPF 2017 and made this post possible 🙂

Ann J.(@annmjensen)Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. I skate a little myself. But I assist some fancy coaches with their schedule. Am also president of a club and often run or assist in running competitions.What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? All North American dance in the 80s and 90s.Events judged: Grand Prix Final 2017

Mara B. (@missmaraskate)Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan, if any. I’ve never been to a major event, but I did start taking lessons in June, and can now do a toe loop!Favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years: I do wish Weaver and Poje had scored .03 more in their FD at 2014 Worlds.Events judged: Skate America 2016, Junior Worlds 2017, Grand Prix Final 2017

Meghan D. (@DadeMeghan) |Figuratively SpeakingTell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. A figure skating fan since wearing a Michelle Kwan replica necklace to elementary school. The highlight of my fandom is being in the building for Ashley Wagner’s world silver medal performance in Boston. What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Satoko Miyahara at the 2016 World Championships.Events judged: US Nationals 2016, Team Challenge Cup 2016, Throwback: 2002 Olympics Pairs, Cup of China 2016, World Team Trophy 2017, Grand Prix Final 2017

Roshni B. (@RoshniBhudia)Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. I watched the last group of men at 2014 US Nats and was instantly hooked. I then watched the Olympics, Junior Worlds, and Worlds and finally found a sport I enjoyed watching.What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Weaver/Poje’s 2015 Worlds FD and Satoko Miyahara’s SP and FS at 2016 Worlds.Events Judged: World Team Trophy 2017, Grand Prix Final 2017

Ximena |YouTube|TumblrTell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. Managed a ticket to FaOI this summer, that’s the closest I’ve ever been to live figure skating.What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Wakaba’s SP at COR this year!Events judged: Grand Prix Final 2015, Grand Prix Final 2016

LET’S GET JUDGING. Click “continue reading” below to continue. When you’re finished reading, leave a comment to let us know what you thought about the Grand Prix Final, how you think the real judges did, and how you think our judges did. If you disagree, sign up to judge an event later in the year and share your thoughts!

So, uh, that was an event. 3 competitors withdrew during the event alone (two of those happening during the free skate), and many others found themselves competing injured. Boyang Jin has two sprained ankles. Ashley Wagner’s ankle is infected. Maxim Kovtun hurt his foot. Daniel Samohin and Adam Rippon both dislocated their shoulders in the middle of their programs. And this is all after Anna Pogorilaya, Dabin Choi, Jorik Hendrickx, and Tobias/Tkachenko had to withdraw due to injury or illness in the weeks and days leading up to the event. It’s been a rough Grand Prix season all around, and I’m pretty sure that no one’s joints will ever be the same again. But in the midst of all this insanity, we also saw incredible comebacks and a bevy of personal bests from skaters looking to assert themselves as possible Olympic participants and medalists.

Thanks to these six judges for sitting at The Judges’ Table for Skate America 2017!

Gabrielle T. (@Gabrielle_1209)Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. I skated for ten years, competing locally. Now, I enjoy watching skating from the stands (or anywhere I can find Wi-Fi)!

Irina G.(@annafly13) Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. I am a dedicated fan and photographer and love being part of figure skating events. I never travel without a camera and have thousands of pics from the events.What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Yuna Kim at Sochi in 2014.

Jared A.(@JaredMAllen) |InstagramTell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. I’m a lifelong fan of the sport and decided to learn how to skate, purely to have more info to influence my judgements! Now I’m a competitive skater myself and I absolutely love it.What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Satoko’s FS in Boston.

Madi L.(@not_lipton) | TumblrTell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. I am an avid figure skater and figure skating fan. Sometimes I spend way too much money traveling to watch competitions but make up for it by teaching learn to skate with my home club.What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Tessa and Scott’s Sochi short dance.

Margaret D. (@elysiondream)|TumblrTell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan, if any. Like a lot of people, I became a figure skating fan during the whole Nancy/Tanya saga. I fell in love with the combination of art and athleticism and knew I would be a lifelong fan.Favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years: Mao Asada’s free at Sochi.

Rafael Q. (@HRHtheDentist)Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. Been skating since I was 3, following competitions closely since 2009, etc.

LET’S GET JUDGING. Click “continue reading” below to continue. When you’re finished reading, leave a comment to let us know what you thought about Internationaux de France, how you think the real judges did, and how you think our judges did. If you disagree, sign up to judge an event later in the year and share your thoughts!

It was another messy Grand Prix event – Weaver and Poje had a rough short dance and couldn’t get on the podium, Javier and Shoma had messy free skates, Alina Zagitova had to make up a 7 point deficit to win the ladies’ event, and no one in the pairs field came even close to touching the top two teams. Still, there were phenomenal performances, including something we’ve never had at The Judges’ Table: a unanimous pick for best performance of the event! Misha Ge’s first and final Grand Prix medal/blue star was well-earned with skates his fans will remember for years.

Thanks to these judges for sitting at The Judges’ Table for Internationaux de France 2017!

Amber C. (@amberchamberlan) |A Skater’s PerspectiveTell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. I am a figure skater myself. I really love Ashley Wagner. That is about all you need to know about me.What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Ashley Wagner’s 2017 World Championships short program.

Justine K.(@beanyskates) | Princess Beany SkatesTell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. I skated for years and have now coached for just as many. I fell in love with the sport when I saw Alexei Yagudin live at the 2001 World Championships in Vancouver. Since then I’ve been to another 6 World Championships, most recently in Helsinki and started a figure skating (Yuzuru Hanyu) blog.What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? I still think Scott & Tessa should be two-time Olympic Champions.

Linda K. (@lindalmk)Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. I’ve been following skating as a fan since I was very young. My list of events I’ve attended includes 6 US Nationals and 2 Worlds. Sheepishly, I admit I’m still working on telling the jumps apart. Ice dance is my favorite discipline.Events judged: Internationaux de France 2017

Maddie L. (@MaddieLarson19)Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. I’ve been a fan of figure skating since the 2006 Olympics, but I myself have absolutely no athletic ability. What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Yuna Kim’s 2014 Olympic Short Program.Events judged: Internationaux de France 2017

Tiffany L. (@TiffLangston)Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. Stanning for skating since 1994! What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Any time Satoko Miyahara skated in the 2014-2015 season.

LET’S GET JUDGING. Click “continue reading” below to continue. When you’re finished reading, leave a comment to let us know what you thought about Internationaux de France, how you think the real judges did, and how you think our judges did. If you disagree, sign up to judge an event later in the year and share your thoughts!

Apologies to readers – this week’s Cup of DisasterChina rejudging is, clearly, being posted a little bit late. But even though it’s been a few days, we’re halfway through the Grand Prix, which makes now the perfect time to take stock of exactly where we are before NHK begins!

Thanks to these six judges for sitting at The Judges’ Table for Cup of China 2017!

Amanda P. (@storyologist_ap) |The StoryologistTell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. I’ve loved skating all my life, but only laced up my own skates a couple years ago. Now I’m slowly working my way through the skills and watching every competition I can find a stream for!What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Weaver/Poje’s 2015 free dance at Worlds.

Bea (@beanjibae) |You Only Lutz OnceTell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. I was familiar with figure skating as a kid, but I only got more in-depth after watching the Olympics in Sochi. I now co-run You Only Lutz Once with my friend Clara (@jimboppa). I’m more known as that girl waving the large, obnoxious “The CHANpion is Back” banner in 4CC Taipei.What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Our #TinyQueen Satoko Miyahara is grossly underscored all the time.

Bu B.(@bubblebarred)Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. One time I watched the men’s free skate at the Sochi Olympics on my TV, and I died.What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? I was really moved by Mirai Nagasu’s Demons short program at Worlds 2016.

Kara M. (@NamasteRead)Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. I took lessons when I was 12-15. Been a superfan since 2014.What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? I still feel like Mirai Nagasu is underscored almost every time she skates.

Laura C.(@LaurillaC)Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. I’ve watched figure skating all my life and decided following it more seriously at the age of 12, although I’ve never taken lessons. What I know about technique is all thanks to my friends and internet.What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Rika Hongo – Riverdance.

Stephanie H. (@perfectlonely)Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan, if any. I grew up in the era of the Kween, but wasn’t more than a casual watcher. It’s only since 2016 Worlds that I really started following it.

LET’S GET JUDGING. Click “continue reading” below to continue. When you’re finished reading, leave a comment to let us know what you thought about Cup of China, how you think the real judges did, and how you think our judges did. If you disagree, sign up to judge an event later in the year and share your thoughts!